Spotify’s Ad Skip: Smart Feature… or Indie Podcaster Nightmare?

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Indie podcast expert Frank Racioppi joins me to unpack AMP’s new play metric, Spotify’s ad skip feature, broken CPMs, and why targeted listeners beat vanity downloads if you actually want a podcast that makes money.

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Key Takeaways

1. Downloads aren’t dead, but they’re incomplete.

AMP’s 30‑second play standard adds needed context, yet downloads still matter, just like batting average and on‑base percentage both matter for a hitter.

2. Big numbers mean nothing without a goal.

A million plays with no business outcome is worse than 10,000 targeted listeners converting at 40–50%; indie podcasters must define success before they ever hit record.

3. Your audience is rented unless you pull them off‑platform.